Geranium plant named ‘Ravpil’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Ravpil’, characterized by its medium green leaf color; mounded and prostrate growth habit; and dark purple-colored flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geraniumplant, botanically known as Geranium cinereum, and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name Ravpil.

The new Geranium was discovered by the Inventor in a controlledenvironment in Cheshire, United Kingdom, as a whole plant mutation ofthe Geranium cinereum cultivar Laurence Flatman, not patented, In June,1989. Plants of the new Geranium have darker purple flowers than plantsof the cultivar Laurence Flatman. Plants of the new Geranium typicallyhave darker purple flowers than other Geraniums of this type known tothe Inventor.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings harvested inCheshire, United Kingdom, has shown that the unique features of this newGeranium are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Ravpil have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength, irrigation amount and frequency, and/or fertilizer ratewithout, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Ravpil’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Ravpil’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Medium green leaf color.

2. Mounded and prostrate growth habit.

3. Dark purple-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Geranium, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which more accurately describe the actualcolors of the new Geranium.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a top perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Ravpil’ grown in the field.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a close-up view of atypical plant of ‘Ravpil’.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view of atypical open flower and a typical leaf of ‘Ravpil’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants used for the followingdescription were about 30 weeks old and grown in the field conditionswhich closely approximate commercial production conditions during thespring and summer in Cheshire, United Kingdom.

Botanical classification: Geranium cinereum cultivar Ravpil.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Geranium cinereumcultivar Laurence Flatman, not patented.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—By cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—About 21 to 28 days at 18° C.

Time to produce a rooted liner.—About 90 days at 18° C.

Root description.—Thick in diameter.

Plant description:

Form.—Perennial flowering plant; mounding and prostrate. Appropriate for17-cm containers.

Crop time.—After rooting, about 20 to 30 weeks are required to producefinished flowering plants in 17-cm containers.

Plant height.—About 15 cm.

Plant diameter.—About 35 cm.

Vigor.—Moderate to vigorous.

Foliage description.—Leaves basal, simple, generally symmetrical, andlong-persisting. Length: About 3 cm. Width: About 3.5 cm. Shape:Palmately lobed. Apex: Acute. Base: Sagittate. Margin: Deeply serrate toincised. Texture: Both surfaces pubescent. Fragrance: Faint spicyfragrance when rubbed, pleasant. Petiole: Length: About 9 cm. Diameter:About 1.2 mm. Color: Young foliage, upper surface: 137A to 137B. Youngfoliage, lower surface: 137D. Mature foliage, upper surface: 137B;veins, 137A. Mature foliage, lower surface: 137D; veins, 137D. Petiole:144A to 145A.

Flower description:

Appearance.—Single rounded cup-shaped flowers with five petals.Flowering stems arise from the plant base. Flowers not persistent.

Quantity of flowers.—About 8 flowers per flowering stem.

Natural flowering season.—Summer in the Netherlands; floweringcontinuous.

Fragrance.—None detected.

Flower longevity.—About 3 days.

Flower size.—Length: About 2.8 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm.

Flower buds (before showing color).—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About5 mm. Shape: Obovate. Color: 191A to 191B.

Petals.—Length: About 1.3 cm. Width: About 1 cm. Shape: Obcordate; apex,retuse; margin, entire with short hairs. Texture: Somewhat rugose.Color: When opening, upper surface: 71A; veins slightly darker than 71A.When opening, lower surface: 70A to 70B. Fully opened, upper surface:71B; veins darker than 71A. Fully opened, lower surface: 70B to 72B.

Sepals.—Quantity: Five. Calyx length: About 6 mm. Calyx diameter: About1.5 cm. Shape: Oval to oblong; apex, mucronate; margin, entire. Texture:Pubescent. Color: Upper surface: 141A to 141B. Lower surface: 191B.

Pedicel.—Length: About 2.5 cm. Angle: About 30 to 40° from vertical.Strength: Moderate to weak. Color: 144A to 145A.

Peduncle.—Length: About 15 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Aspect: Mostlyupright or outwardly angled. Texture: Pubescent. Color: 144A to 145A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity: Ten. Anther shape: Ovate tooblong; dorsifixed. Anther length: About 2.5 mm. Anther color: Purple.Pollen amount: Scarce. Pistils: Quantity: Five. Pistil length: About 8mm. Style length: About 6 mm. Style color: 144A to 145A. Stigma color:187A to 187B. Ovary color: 144A to 145A.

Seed description.—Seed development has not been observed.

Disease resistance: Plants of the new Geranium have been noted to beresistant to pathogens common to Geranium.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named‘Ravpil’, as illustrated and described.